1980 Silverado C10 “Big 10”

[Nick_R_23]

I just picked up this 1980 Chevy Silverado C10 from Fairbanks, Alaska for $800! It was a beautiful trip and well worth the 600 miles around to bring it back home. It is a factory Big 10 package, the engine is missing, but still has the TH350, 12 bolt rear axle, and was optioned with power windows, power door locks, sliding rear window, A/C, power steering, power brakes, and what appears to be the deluxe interior. It has factory rally wheels with only 3 trim rings missing, and two tone paint with exterior body trim. It also has an aftermarket rear bumper still in pretty good shape. Despite the options, this thing sat outside with the windows open for quite a number of years. However, it seems to have faired pretty well and there’s not too much rust, mostly just some large dents I’m hoping to get smoothed out. It’s missing the title, so until I get that bonded I won’t be doing too much to it other than cleanup and collecting parts, but I do have quite a lot sitting around that will end up being used here.

Ultimate plans are a stock-ish Vortec 350 that’s sitting in my shop, and one of the two TH350’s I have, most likely the one that’s already in the truck. I will also probably do a 4.5”/6” drop, and undecided on using the rally wheels or going with an aftermarket set. I have a 73/74 grille kicking around the shop I might throw in as well. Other than that, just clean it up and drive it.

The drive up! Left the house at 4:00 am



This is the picture from the ad.



Lookin’ a little sad there buddy. Let’s get you home.



All loaded up!



Beautiful views the whole way!





Got home and started cleaning it up!





Set the hood back on. Cleaned up pretty well!





Going to hit the interior next. Half tempted to find a bucket/console set from a suburban.



BIG 10!

[Nick_R_23]

Here’s some of the new parts I have sitting around that will end up on this engine.

Milodon Anti-climb shelf for the oil pan and ARP Vortec intake bolts



Holley aluminum Vortec timing cover with no sensor hole



Cloyes True Roller single row timing set



Melling M55HV high volume pump and drive shaft



Elgin 1.6 ratio rockers



LS3 beehive springs with Comp retainers



ARP main bolts for 4 bolt main blocks



OEM LS7 lifters



Weiand Vortec carb conversion intake

[Nick_R_23]

This was originally purchased for another project, but I found a better block I wanted to start off with instead, so this engine will now be used for the C10.

Donor rig was a 2000 Express Van



Engine out!



Engine separated from the transmission and heads removed





On the stand. Oil was a little milky, so head or intake gaskets were done.



Started teardown





Completely stripped down. Everything looked serviceable other than some light scoring on the pistons. Off to the machine shop!

[Nick_R_23]

Tinkered on it a little this weekend. Hooked a battery up to see if I could get the power windows to work. The switches seem functional, but I believe the motors are seized. There’s a little bit of life in her, though!



I also scored a bench seat for $100. It’s from a crew cab and non-folding, and the mounts will have to be swapped, but it’ll look better inside now.



Vacuumed the interior and removed the carpet and padding. Found some rocker rust, but the floor seems to be pretty nice overall!



Also wiped the interior down!



I picked up a full set of interior switches. Part of the title process says that the vehicle needs to be street legal, so all of the safety equipment needs to function, such as the horn, headlights, turn signals, brake lights, etc, so I’m hoping this solves a lot of issues right out of the gate.

[Nick_R_23]

Small change of powertrain plans, picked this up today! 1999 Express 2500 with a 5.7 Vortec and 4L80E for $250! Should be a good donor rig!